Posts by vividsailor7

darkdrifter10 said:Over a year ago, I finally started eating regular meals. I actually gained some weight back because I used to skip meals constantly. But then, for a few months leading up to now, I started dropping pounds. I was at 132 lbs, then it fell to 125 lbs over three months, and right now I’m sitting at 121 lbs at 5'9". Generally, I eat before 6 PM and stay pretty active. The issue is my family is freaking out. They think I'm refusing to eat, which isn't even true at all🙂....
I honestly don't know what to do. What could be causing this? I'm perfectly happy with how I look, but I can't seem to prove that to them🙂...And then I just end up worrying about it myself, and it just makes me incredibly frustrated....🙄
Has anyone else dealt with these kinds of weight fluctuations?😕

Your BMI is 18.0, which is clinically underweight. Your family has every right to be concerned. 132 lbs would be a much healthier target for you. I don't know if you were trying to lose weight on purpose or not, but if the answer is NO, then yes, this is cause for serious concern. How are your digestion and bowel movements? You really should schedule an appointment with your primary care physician immediately.

Raymond Morris2 said:I also deal with these absolutely brutal menstrual cramps—but along with them, there's this intense pressure in my lower colon. My bowel movements are actually normal, I guess, but that pressure is just unbearable... I can't even tell if it's getting worse because of the cramps or if it's something else entirely. I noticed some other women here have mentioned similar things, so if anyone has any advice... I'd really appreciate it.

You could try taking some Spasmex, but definitely run it by your doctor first. As for what the lady above mentioned, that sounds like it could be something else entirely.

Laura Rodriguez86 said:Hey everyone!

Since I'm dealing with a cancer diagnosis in the family (it's a woman), I wanted to see if anyone here has experience using Nature's Bounty capsules mentioned in the title.
I found more info in these two links below, but I'm honestly confused about the difference between them besides just the branding and how they're used.

http://www.immunoahcc.com/

So, if anyone knows anything or has actually tried them, let me know! Does it really work? How does it work? Are there any major side effects? Also, if it’s truly as healing as people claim, why isn't it a household name? A few friends mentioned it, and there’s some stuff online, but most websites are pretty vague. I’d much rather hear from real people who have bought it—whether it helped or not. This monthly treatment is $1667, and you need at least three months of it, so $5000 we're talking serious money. Every single dollar counts right now, so I’d really appreciate any honest advice or details on this product.

If you know of any other options that might help, please share those too!

Feel free to shoot me a private message or just reply right here.
Thanks, guys!

Both of those responses are spot on. As far as I'm concerned, it’s nothing more than a "tax on idiots."

driftinggull21 said:My blood work is constantly all over the place. It’s driving me insane. My GUK and GGT are low, but my total Bilirubin and Iron levels are through the roof. Just one thing after another! 🙂
Honestly, my blood work was at its absolute best when I was pregnant.😁

A low GGT doesn't mean a damn thing on its own. It’s all about context—how much it actually dropped or spiked relative to your baseline. You can't just look at one number in a vacuum and call it a day. Context is everything!

casualraven55 said:Hey guys,
I was wondering if anyone else deals with this. When I’m lying in bed at night in a dark room with my eyes closed—while I'm still drifting off—I literally see these quick flashes of light whenever there's a sudden noise that breaks the silence. It’s like my ears and eyes are wired together. For instance, I’ll be lying there and hear a floorboard creak in my house, and for a split second, there's a flash right before my eyes. Or if a neighbor slams their door in the hallway, or even just the house settling and making those popping sounds when the heater kicks on after the room cools down. Basically, any sound that disrupts the quiet causes this quick, sharp white flash.
It sounds ridiculous, I know, but it happens all the time. It’s not causing me major distress or anything, but I’m curious if anyone else experiences this and what might actually be causing it.
Is it a nerve issue?
Thanks.

Anxiety.

Emily Edwards19 said:That bolded part is very likely the truth. 😢
The tests actually showed there is "something" on her brain, and I'm terrified that it can only be something bad... I don't get why she didn't go straight for an MRI or a CT scan, instead opting to head to the coast... though I get it, being stuck at home in bed gets old, so maybe she just wanted a change of scenery... plus, she’d been feeling great lately, absolutely fine!!!

I found out this morning that she already made it back home last night. She isn't doing well. I haven't called her yet... I'm scared... but I'll call... I'll ask her specifically about her blood pressure, though I have no idea what her baseline usually is...
If she even picks up at all 😢 uhhhh

Thanks for the advice... I'm going to reach out to some of her closer relatives regarding what you wrote... I just hope they rushed her to the ER the second they arrived!!
Dammitttt 😢

She needs to get to an emergency neurological intake immediately. Intracranial pressure has nothing to do with arterial blood pressure.

Jerry Young6 said:Basically, I find myself needing to go quite frequently, but I haven't noticed any other issues. My digestion is normal, and I don't have a fever.

It wouldn't hurt at all to get a urinalysis and a full metabolic panel done.

Jerry Young6 said:🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Well, I'm back at square one. It’s always my stomach that gives me trouble, but lately, it's been my lower back—and man, it hurts—along with my hips and thighs. Honestly, it's exhausting. The only thing that really takes the edge off is taking 600 mg of Ibuprofen.

1. Are you having any trouble urinating?
2. What’s the status of your bowel movements?
3. Do you have a fever?

darkwalker2 said:Thanks! So, you’re also suggesting green tea? Is there anything else on your radar—maybe a specific tincture, some vitamins, minerals, capsules, or even just a standard supplement... Honestly, I’ve reached that point where I don't even know anymore. It can be taken alongside the green tea!

Some formula, vitamins, minerals, pills, supplements... Listen, if you ask me, most of that stuff is just a "fool's tax." You want results? Stick to the basics. Green tea is fine, or maybe a natural diuretic—something like nettle or birch, for example.

darkwalker2 said:Please forgive my delay in getting back to you—thank you for waiting!
I don’t actually have any visible swelling or bulging veins; it’s more of this persistent, heavy sensation of being bloated and puffed up. Perhaps I sounded a bit more alarmist than I intended, but looking back, maybe it isn't quite as dire as I made it out to be.
What I was really trying to figure out is whether there exists some kind of supplement or remedy that can help flush out what the birth control pills seem to cause the body to hold onto. I'm thinking along the lines of a specific tea, a certain herb, or even just a particular vitamin or mineral... something that might nudge the system to shed that excess water without needing a doctor's note for a prescription drug.

Thanks again!

You've already received an answer to that.

melloworca6 said:Spasmex worked for me. 🤷 It probably comes down to the individual; everyone’s got to find their own specific combination that actually does the trick.

Take me, for example. I can't touch Craving even if I wanted to. If I drink it, my stomach starts acting up so violently that I'd honestly rather just deal with the pain from drinking too much of something else than face those gastric cramps.

That’s exactly why I recommended Spasmex—to handle those stomach issues and the other side effects caused by NSAIDs.

rapidgull27 said:Does anyone know if I need an appointment for an EKG at the community health center? And will the results be ready right away?
Same question regarding urine tests—I know you don't wait forever, but how long does it actually take to get the results back?

You don't need an appointment for an EKG. The reading is done instantly, but obviously, a cardiologist has to review it first. It’ll probably be ready by tomorrow. You can pick it up then.

Kate Brooks2 said:It breaks my heart that everyone seems to be checking in with nothing but bad news. But hey, at least there are some truly wonderful people on this forum who step up to offer support when you need it most.
We took my father-in-law in for bloodwork today, and honestly, the numbers are incredible. His white blood cell count went from a terrifying 0.6 up to 4.2 in just six days, and now, after seven more days, he's sitting at 9.8. Even the doctors were stunned by how fast he's bouncing back! 🙂)) He’s staying at the hospital today to start his second round of chemo. We are praying everything holds steady and that he keeps this momentum going.

It is so refreshing to hear some actual good news for once. Keep pushing forward.👍

stormycanyon18 said:Oh, they messed up big time. They didn't perform a proper biopsy—they just slapped a diagnosis of planocellular tracheal carcinoma on a 22-year-old kid. No deep investigation, nothing. They basically told him there was zero chance of recovery. By the second day after the "diagnosis," they already had him pumped full of chemo, hoping this cancer would miraculously vanish in a week! Then, a few months later, everything just spiraled out of control. It was an endless cycle of tests—some working, most ending in absolute catastrophe, like when they punctured his large intestine and caused a massive effusion, followed by surgery, and so on and so forth. Finally, during his stay at Mayo Clinic, a doctor actually figured out the real diagnosis: carcinoid syndrome. If they had used the right therapy from the start, he could have been managed perfectly fine. She actually sat down with my parents and said, "I honestly don't know how to tell you this, but in your son's case, a horrific mistake was made..." and that was right there at the hospital in Jordan!
A few doctors at that same facility in Jordan started questioning the diagnosis because of the facts: my brother never smoked, and that specific type of cancer almost exclusively hits hardened smokers over the age of 60. By then, it was too late for anything. He ended up passing away from a common cold because he’d lost over 90 pounds and that last surgery just finished him off. The doctors decided to run a puncture right after breakfast and, predictably, it ended exactly the way it did.
He was only 22 years old and he was perfect. And now he's gone. We will never be able to accept the fact that he could still be here with us if just one single idiot had known how to do their job!

I am so incredibly sorry about your brother. All I can say is that even we doctors make mistakes sometimes, but that's where the catch is: do you own up to it and be honest with the family, or do you just make excuses? My heart goes out to you, truly.

stormycanyon18 said:Hi everyone!
A colleague’s mother has been battling lung cancer for a year now. She’s already cycled through four different types of chemotherapy and even a course of so-called "smart drugs," but there hasn't been any improvement whatsoever. Back in July, they did a CT scan and couldn't find any metastases anywhere. One entire lung is affected, while the other remains clear. She’s dealing with a constant fever and is absolutely wiped out from the side effects of her last chemo session. Now she’s stuck in the hospital, where she is literally just waiting to die. The doctors are merely managing her symptoms and that’s it, because she’s too weak for any further treatment.
She won't undergo surgery because—she isn't even a candidate for it, since two lymph nodes are involved. So, here is my question: how can you just leave a woman to die and do absolutely nothing? There has to be something else worth trying—HELLO, this makes zero sense! I keep pushing my colleague to get a full transcript of her mother's medical records so she can send them everywhere and demand ten more second opinions if necessary, but nothing happens. The woman is in such a terrible mental state that she's just waiting for the end! Is there any help available? Let me remind you, we are in Indianapolis, where it feels like the easiest thing to do is just give up on everything; apparently, there aren't enough smart people around to step in and intervene. To me, as a total amateur, this is senseless.

I see you've already received an answer.

Mark Hughes56 said:I got my period around 10:00 this morning, and by 11:00 I was stuck in the bathroom. It feels horrific; I’m pale, everything from the waist down is aching, and I'm completely spent. 😢

Never again am I facing this without Advil. If I let this happen once more, I might actually just die.

I had planned to finally get some cleaning done today. Instead, I can't do a single thing.

Is it just me, or does it get worse with age? It used to just be lower back pain, but now everything below my waist is throbbing so hard I can barely walk.
🙂

When it comes to period cramps, instead of Ketoral, I’d highly recommend asking your doctor for a prescription for Spasmex or Buscopan.

Amanda Sanders44 said:Alright, thanks for the reply!

No problem at all.

Michael Diaz4 said:EDIT: Look, Doloproct is essentially the same thing as Lidoproct—it contains Lidocaine in a gel form, which hits fast but doesn't last forever. It’s powerful and works instantly, but the relief is short-lived. On the other hand, Lidoproct is the absolute gold standard for hemorrhoids; honestly, it’s probably the best cream ever manufactured for this issue. I have tried just about everything on the market, but Lidoproct remains the winner. That is why I am recommending it from my own firsthand experience.

Take Dolokain, for instance. Some of my patients have had pretty positive results with Doloprotect, so I definitely take your word for it regarding that (especially since some people have truly tried every single remedy out there).

Michael Diaz4 said:Using Lidoproct for topical application inside and Doloproct for rectal massage after surgery is an absolutely killer combination. Seriously. If they don't carry Lidoproct here in the States, just hop over the border to any pharmacy; you can grab Lidoproct without a prescription for just a few bucks. Lidoproct works because it actually numbs the tissue—it provides real anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effects. I highly recommend it to anyone suffering from rectal or hemorrhoid issues...

I read the instructions for Lidoproct, and in the US, the substitute is Doloproct.

Amanda Sanders44 said:I don't even know where to start with this one. It’s just completely ridiculous. Honestly, I am beyond frustrated right now! Prothrombin time.I'm still trying to make sense of these lab results, and honestly, it's driving me up the wall. I just got my latest blood work back, specifically looking at the INR, and I feel like I'm spinning my wheels here. Does anyone actually have experience navigating these fluctuations? It feels like a constant balancing act where one wrong move sends everything sideways. I'm looking for some real insight, not just generic advice. Anyone been through this? My level is at 1.00 (with the reference interval being >0.70).
a Target INR levels can be a real headache to manage, especially when you feel like you're constantly playing a guessing game with your medication. It’s not just about hitting a single number; it's about staying within that specific therapeutic window prescribed by your doctor. Generally speaking, if you're on blood thinners for things like atrial fibrillation or preventing clots, most doctors aim for a target INR between 2.0 and 3.0. If you fall below 2.0, you're at a higher risk for clotting. If you climb above 3.0, you're looking at a higher risk of bleeding. Of course, there are exceptions! For certain mechanical heart valves, the goal might be higher—often between 2.5 and 3.5. You have to follow exactly what your specialist tells you, because every body reacts differently to the dosage. It’s frustrating, I know. One day you're right in the sweet spot, and the next, a change in your diet or even a minor illness sends your numbers flying all over the map. Stick to the plan, stay consistent with your doses, and don't go rogue with your Vitamin K intake without talking to your medical team first. Stay safe out there. That 0.95 reading is definitely sitting way outside the normal range—the reference interval says it should be between 2.0 and 3.5. That is a significant gap. You really need to get this looked at by a doctor immediately to figure out why it’s so low. Don't just sit on this!

I'm curious—what exactly does this second item being low actually mean?

Your results look clean. Honestly, that INR value only really matters if you're actually on anticoagulant therapy.